This week we celebrate the art of preparation, the "getting" of all the victuals & provisions in order to be a gloriously generous host or guest come Thanksgiving.The term, by happen chance, also seems to capture the energy that we receive from the market every week. The more we give…the more we get…and we are so thankful for that.Last week we tromped through upper and lower Gerrard St. East’s neighbourhoods, handing out gourds to celebrate the letter"G" and peek interest about the Fairmount Park Farmers’ Market. With our kids in tow, we had so much fun giving, but it's what we got back that was the best. From wonderstruck expressions, to conversations of disbelief, to hilarious interpretations of turning the gourd into to different animals and tools, and just overall joy at the beauty of nature.The following day was small-world magical: we received a call from a local real estate agent offering to donate an amazing surprise for the market; then a call from David's Tea with a sweet gift bag for a door prize; then an article written about the market from a neighbourhood friend and author; and stunning photos every week from Peter Visima; and locavore/author Sarah Elton says "yes" to a guest appearance next year; a new volunteer appears; and we break our record for newsletter sign-ups…and so much more!This week join us for Thankgetting - come to the market to get what you need in preparation for a weekend of giving and thankfulness. We have just about everything you need.

#Get Sharp

photo courtesy P. Visima

Thanks to popular demand, Andrew from Sharp My Knife is back at the market this week.

Bring your knives ~ GET SHARP! Be prepared for all those thanksgiving root vegetables and roasts.

Not only will you leave with sharp knives, but Andrew will share great tricks-of-the-trade to keep your knives in tip-top shape.

#Get Food

Stock-up on everything you need for thanksgiving from stuffing ingredients, to meat, to pumpkin-pies and sweet gifts!

Check out the highlights below...

Paul and Veronica will be bringing lots of fresh picked prunes and apples from the orchard. Great for stuffing and compotes. They will also be bringing some fresh orchard cider to serve up to your guests! Albion Hills Farms: Nothing better than beautiful sausage to serve up as appetizers or to put in that stuffing. GrassRoot Organics: We will miss Mark at the market this week but are proud to say he had been asked to lecture for the Fleming College Sustainable Agriculture Program. Check it out ~ he's on the faculty, raising the next generation of farmers! CrossWind Farm: Cindy will be there with her "everything is okay" smile to put the thanksgiving frenzy in check! Grab some fresh goat cheese, milk and yogurt. Her goat soap would make a lovely little hostess gift. Fresh from the Farm: We will miss Fresh from the Farm this week! But be sure to visit them the following week. Little Valley: We are proud, and sad, to say to that Little Valley has sold out of her Berkshire Pork for the season! Her CSA is also full. Great job Glynis! Wheelbarrow Farm: Squash and carrots, beets and onions and rainbow harvest for your dinner. Don't forget about their amazing chicken and berkshire pork products. All organic! Highmark Farm: Carmen knows family ~ she has a huge one! So she knows what you need to keep them all those bellies happy. A bounty of fresh produce as well as eggs, perogies, meat pies, and even some special olive oil and balsamic vinegar bottled from a neighbouring farm in Barrie. They are also bringing some special meats including pork and wild board cubed and ground, freshly frozen. pork, wild boar ground and cubed, by the lb, freshly frozenLazy Daisy: Seasonal soup, pies, and preserves to keep you and your guests happy! Village Kanteen: We can always count on Selam to warm our souls and our bellies. Grab some of her prepared sauces to whip-up a healthy meal. Remember her sauces are prepared with farm fresh ingredients and can be mixed with almost any protein or carb. Andrea's Bakery: Pies and tarts for dessert, quiche and granola to save the morning! Blackbird Bread: Hmmm possibly too good for stuffing. Just stuff your bellies with it! Hamlin Honey: Brian has a special family. His bees! And they are working hard for us. Drizzle some over roasted butternut squash with feta for a quick and expressive thanksgiving salad. Or add it to your day-after remedy :) Lovely gift boxes and candles for the table are also great holiday choices. Tiffinday: Take a break while shopping and treat yourself to Seema's famous pakoras or curry. We are so thankful for Seema's food, smile and wisdom! Abokichi: We are so thankful for onigiri and magic seaweed and burdock root tea! Crunchy Chili Oil...what will it marinade for thanksgiving? Bix Bakery: Buy some homemade dairy, soy, gluten-free gelato by the pint to serve up as a refreshing, light and healthy desert after the big meal! BUFCO: Not only will Mark and Arlene show you how to grow garlic, they will come right to your house and plant it! So many great things to do in our gardens that we are so thankful for. Stop by and pick up supplies and inspiration. Special GuestsEast of Eliza: Bringing us flowers for your thanksgiving table. FoodShare: Will be selling their Good Food Box goodness at the market today!

#Get Recipes

Author Adrienne De Francesco will join us at the market to share her wisdom from the book, some recipes cards and inspiration for holiday weekend cooking.

Books will be available for sale and signing and great gift to "share" with foodie friends and family for the holidays.

Guest Chef ~ Michelle Wolfson is back!

Michelle will be demonstrating some culinary treasures and tips to take away and use immediately for the weekend cook-a-thon!

#Get Lucky

Nope. Not what you think! We have two special gifts as door prizes this week.

David's Tea at 2010 Queen Street East has generously donated a gift bag with a Tea Travel Mug with tea leaf storage compartment, Maple Agave Syrup, and a Fall Collection of teas and infusions.

Thanks FoodShare! They have donated a copy of their new cookbook Share: Delicious Dishes from FoodShare and Friends

#Get Creative

Nature's Course ArtGourd Painting! Yep. Sarah is taking those little wonders of nature and turning them into little curiosities using paint. The kids will love sharing them over the holidays!

#Get Dancing

The Jazzy Knights ~ bringing us some sweet live jazz for which we give thanks. A special guest, father of a special market supporter Leanne Besky!

Alanna J. Brown and Michael Lindberg are back! More music to sooth the soul and put us into a pre-thanksgiving musical trance.

Please visit our little music store at the market booth.

We are selling CDs from many of our market musicians including Alanna J. Brown, The Lost Boys, The Sandy Pockets (Tony Neal from Wheelbarrow Farm), Aaron Garner, MJ Cyr, Shawn Clarke, Kristin Lindell, and more. All proceeds go directly to the musicians.

Upcoming...

Wow - 3 weeks left!

October 16th- Get ready for Halloween. Costume exchange, face painting lessons, and a surprise gift for all who come! October 23rd- Wooly Days. Hand-dyed and tinted wool from The Stoddart Family Farm, Street Knit Project and other surprise guests and happenings! October 30th - Day of the Dead celebration! Anything can happen...